Thursday January 12, 2023

Today is Thursday, January 12 and we are seeking what God has next for us in the new year.

As I approach this quiet time alone with God, I slow my breathing and focus my whole being on His loving presence. I pause to silence the clutter of my rambling thoughts and still the discord of my spirit.

Pause and Pray

Come Holy Lord, reveal whatever You have next for me in this new year. I surrender myself to Your pleasing and perfect will, trusting in the knowledge that You continue to work all things together for good in me. Guide and equip me to fulfill Your desires, purposes and plans. Amen.

I join the ancient chorus of praise to God Almighty with the words of Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103:20-22

Pause and Pray

As I begin a new year walking with the Lord and seeking to do His will, I can be confident that He will supply me with everything I need to obey Him in all things. At the end of the letter to the Hebrews, the author offers some concluding encouragement and a prayer for the believers. Centuries later, I read this prayer as if it was written to me personally considering how God may choose to speak to me through these ancient words to guide my walk with him into the future.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

I imagine this prayer being prayed over me in the ancient gathering of Jewish Chritians who persevered in the faith despite persecution and found encouragement in fellowship with one another. Along with them, I can also depend on the Lord and seek maturity in my Christian walk. I am reminded that God is a God of peace, and provides the peace that surpasses understanding. The resurrected Jesus is my loving Shepherd who laid down His life for me and guides me into what is good and right. I can count on Jesus to equip me with everything I need to follow and obey. God will work in me all that is pleasing to Him through my Lord Jesus. I surrender my future in confident assurance knowing I can trust Jesus to be with me always and gently lead me to what is best.

Ask: How might God want to equip me in the new year to do His will? How might my Good Shepherd, Jesus, use His rod and staff to guide me in the new year?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, You are my Shepherd! I listen for Your voice and long to follow You. Lead me the way I should go, work in me what is pleasing, equip me with whatever I need to accomplish Your will. I pray my life will honor You and glorify Your name. I read the words from Hebrews again and listen for the message you have for me.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

What is God saying to me about my future? What direction is God giving me for the upcoming year of 2023? I consider what these words of scripture mean to me as I slowly meditate on them this morning. Perhaps God is revealing His will for my life, or equipping me with what I need, or working on me in a new way. Whatever God has in store for me, I will trust and obey. I surrender my life and will to Him and wait to see how I am to move forward.

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, guide me the way I should go. Show me where I am lacking on my spiritual journey and equip me with everything I need to follow You and fulfill God’s plans and purposes. Do not allow me to get too far ahead of You or lag behind You. Keep me close by Your side every step of the way and lead me into all goodness, holiness and righteousness. Amen.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

I leave this time of prayer filled with the peace of Christ, I go to bring peace to a world that is troubled, lost and torn.

Amen